In honor of the UN’s International Day of Families, we present the hyrax–a species with a rather surprising family tree. These furry mammals are often mistaken for rodents, but they’re more closely related to the elephant and manatee. Hyraxes even sport tusk-like incisors like their elephant cousins. To stay warm, they spend much of their time sunbathing, an activity which makes them vulnerable to predators. But even hyrax families look out for one another—and a male hyrax will stand guard to watch for potential threats.
Celebrating the UN’s International Day of Families
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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An unlikely friendship in the wild
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The moth wonderful time of the year
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Playa del Amor, Marietas Islands, Mexico
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Night of the ‘Cold Moon’
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Earth Day
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Barracudas at Shark Reef, Ras Mohammed National Park, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
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Blooming sunflowers
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Let’s talk fossils
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Full moon
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Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy
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Young black caiman, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru
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Independence Day of the Argentine Republic
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European Day of Parks
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Mountain goats
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Mount Rainier National Park
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World Wildlife Day
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World Rivers Day
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Hello, harbinger of spring
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Wooden path to Kennedy Lake, Vancouver Island, Canada
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Castle on a hill
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Sea Otter Awareness Week
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Mid-Autumn Festival
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Is that a buzzing sound?
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Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
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Happy 50th for the National Trails System!
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Big wheels on a big mountain
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Castle Stalker, Argyll, Scotland
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Sea fireflies at the seashore
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Puma in Patagonia
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Schönbrunn Palace Park, Vienna, Austria
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

